ignorant

ignorant — adjective

1. knowing very little or nothing about a particular subject, fact, or situation; n

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

knowing very little or nothing about a particular subject, fact, or situation; not having the information needed to understand something.

Example

Tyler was completely ignorant of the local customs when he first arrived in Taiwan.

ignorant of + noun phrase

Many people remain ignorant about where their food actually comes from.

ignorant about + clause

Common collocations
  • blissfully ignorant
  • completely ignorant
  • totally ignorant
  • wilfully ignorant
  • ignorant of the facts
  • ignorant about politics
Synonyms
  • uninformed

    focuses on lacking specific information rather than general knowledge; 'uninformed voters'

  • uneducated

    broader — refers to lack of formal education; 'uneducated workforce'

  • clueless

    informal, slangy; stronger sense of complete cluelessness; 'clueless about fashion'

Antonyms
  • knowledgeable

    having a lot of information or understanding

  • informed

    having up-to-date or accurate information

  • aware

    knowing that something exists or is happening

Grammar Patterns

adjective

ignorant of + noun phrase

ignorant about + noun phrase/clause

Usage Note

Frequently paired with 'of' (ignorant of the facts) or 'about' (ignorant about how the system works). The fixed phrase 'blissfully ignorant' carries an ironic tone — it describes someone who is happily unaware of something unpleasant. In self-reference, 'ignorant' can sound harsh; English learners often prefer 'I don't know much about…' in casual speech.

Common Mistakes

He was ignorant to the problem.
He was ignorant of the problem.
The adjective takes 'of' (or 'about'), not 'to'.
I am ignorant in math.
I don't know much about math.
'Ignorant' about yourself can sound overly negative; 'don't know much about' is softer.

2. behaving or speaking in a way that is rude and shows a lack of respect toward ot

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

behaving or speaking in a way that is rude and shows a lack of respect toward others, often because the person does not realise their words or actions are offensive.

Example

Vinícius made an ignorant comment about Reema's culture, which offended everyone at the table.

collocation: ignorant comment

Jenna was embarrassed by her uncle's ignorant behavior toward the waiters at the restaurant.

collocation: ignorant behavior

Common collocations
  • ignorant comment
  • ignorant remark
  • ignorant behavior
  • ignorant attitude
  • ignorant joke
Synonyms
  • rude

    broader and more direct; does not imply lack of awareness

Antonyms
  • polite

    showing good manners and respect

  • respectful

    showing proper regard for others

Grammar Patterns

adjective

ignorant + noun (remark, comment, behavior)

Usage Note

This sense is stronger than 'rude' or 'impolite' — it adds the nuance that the disrespectful behavior stems from a lack of awareness or understanding, not just bad manners. Common in fixed phrases like 'ignorant remark' or 'ignorant comment,' describing unintentionally offensive statements. Be careful using this sense about a person directly ('you're ignorant') — it is highly insulting.

Common Mistakes

His comment was very ignorant about her feelings.
His comment showed a complete ignorance of her feelings.
For the 'rude' sense, 'ignorant about' does not fit; use 'ignorant' as a direct modifier.

Word family

  • ignorance
    nounB1
  • ignorantly
    adverbC1
  • ignoramus
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Ignorant' and 'uninformed' both describe a lack of knowledge, but 'ignorant' is broader — it can refer to a general lack of education or a specific lack of information about a topic. 'Uninformed' is narrower: it suggests simply not having been given the right information (uninformed voters). 'Illiterate' is far more specific: it means unable to read or write. 'Uneducated' refers to a lack of formal schooling, not necessarily a lack of intelligence. 'Clueless' is informal and slangy; it describes someone who is completely lost or unaware (clueless about fashion). Unlike the others, 'clueless' can be playful rather than insulting. For example: 'He was ignorant of the local customs' (neutral fact); 'She was uneducated but highly skilled' (no schooling, but capable); 'I felt completely clueless in the advanced class' (informal self-deprecation).

ignorant ↗illiterateuneducateduninformedclueless

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • ignorant of the law
  • blissfully ignorant
  • wilfully ignorant

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'ignorantem' (not knowing), the present participle of 'ignorare' (to be ignorant of, not know), itself from 'in-' (not) plus the root of 'gnoscere' (to know, become acquainted with). Entered English via Old French 'ignorant' around the 1300s. The additional meaning 'rude, disrespectful' developed in English around the 1600s, reflecting the idea that rude behavior stems from a lack of understanding or awareness.